Handcuffed teacher says school board head should resign

ABBEVILLE, La. — The Louisiana teacher who was arrested after questioning her superintendent’s pay raise at a school board meeting called Thursday for the board president’s resignation.

Deyshia Hargrave, whose removal in handcuffs sparked internet outrage, made the remarks before a Thursday rally of her supporters in the city of Abbeville. People around her wore T-shirts with the words: “Stand by Deyshia.”

Deyshia Hargrave, facing left, who was arrested for speaking out at a school board meeting this week, hugs a friend before a rally in her support, in Abbeville, La., Thursday. Associated Press/Gerald Herbert

While Hargrave said Vermilion Parish School Board President Anthony Fontana should resign, she declined to suggest any discipline for Reggie Hilts, the deputy city marshal who handcuffed her on the hallway floor after she left the meeting and marched her out of the building.

“He obviously needs more training,” the middle school English teacher said.

She wouldn’t say whether she plans to sue anyone, but both the American Civil Liberties Union and her teachers’ union are investigating the case.

“By taking away my voice they’ve taken away – or tried to take away – my First Amendment rights to speak,” Hargrave said earlier in a video posted on the Louisiana Association of Educators’ Facebook page.

“Go to your local school board meetings,” Hargrave said. “Speak out. Be vocal.”

The turmoil followed the board’s 5-3 vote Monday night approving a new 3-year contract raising Jerome Puyau’s salary by roughly $30,000, to about $140,000 annually. Video shows that Hargrave addressed the superintendent directly after raising her hand to speak and being recognized.

She questioned Puyau’s raise, given that teachers haven’t received an increase in 10 years, despite growing class sizes and other demands.

Fontana declared that her comment wasn’t “germane” to the vote on the contract, and banged his gavel to silence her. According to school board member Kibbie Pillette, Fontana then beckoned off-camera to the officer, who interrupted Hargrave while she was speaking and ordered her out.

“I’m going,” she said, making her way out. The officer followed her into the hallway, where moments later, a camera recorded her on the floor with her hands behind her back, being handcuffed.

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